8 | Oceanside Subdivision T TRosa Watson Oceanside development a labour of love Section sizes vary from 2,500sqm to 10,000sqm, and owners have plenty of room to spread out, with the bunded planting between lots provides privacy. An expansive coastal New Plymouth subdivision has been carefully developed by owners Sara and Kerry Hamilton to provide a beautiful and tranquil landscape with outstanding views. The couple have spent tireless hours bringing Oceanside, a gated estate located just 10 minutes from central New Plymouth by road or cycleway, to life. It began with The Links subdivision that provided an opportunity to establish a connection with New Plymouth’s iconic coastal walkway, and the possibility of a unique residential development on some 20 acres of coastal land. The process was initially undertaken by The Links that later decided not to continue the development. The land was tendered for sale, and Sara and Kerry decided to “throw caution to the wind” and purchase Oceanside from the Links company’s. “At the same time, we were halfway through developing 36 sections beside the eastern boundary of the golf course, known as The Green, Sara says. “With significant help from the TSB Bank, we made the emotional decision to purchase this unique piece of land, and did so in September 2018.” It was unattractive property covered in gorse, blackberry, and fallen trees. “So, we purchased a second-hand tractor, and Kerry began mowing wherever possible to get some sense of the shape of the land.” Contractor Richard Dreaver was brought in to remove and mulch the old and dying macrocarpas, which further exposed the true expanse of the site. It quickly became clear that the original subdivision design needed significant refinement. With the help of surveyor Belinda Willis, Richard Bain from Blue Marble, and project manager Zanta Jones, the design was reworked, reducing roading by 25 per cent and earthworks by nearly 50 per cent. Consent for this variation was granted by the New Plymouth District Council in November 2019. But before earthworks could begin, they were required to provide a management plan, a herpetological study for lizards and an archaeological permit, involving multiple council meetings and numerous other boxes ticked before it could proceed. Then three years later, just as they were preparing to advance, Covid hit. “This raised considerable doubt about the viability of the project, and we wondered whether to put things on hold,” Sara says. “But we had metaphorically already put a spade in the ground and literally had 15,000 native plants waiting to be planted. The only way was forward.” So, the couple began planting, and with the occasional help of friends and family there are now more than 35,000 plants in the ground all mulched and fertilised. “Our weekdays were spent in town at our day jobs, and our weekends at The Green, or Oceanside: planting, mulching, spraying, weeding, mowing, seeding, and watering. Today, Oceanside consists of 16 sections, with seven now on the market. Stage 1, with nine sections, was completed at the beginning of 2021 with most of the roading and planting of the development done during this time. Sara says Joe Ingram and his team of earth movers were “a dream to work with”, completing the remaining six ocean front sections last year. Surveyor Mark Bland was brought in for stage 2, who worked tirelessly to finally get it over the line. Section sizes vary from 2,500sqm to 10,000sqm, and owners have plenty of room to spread out, with the bunded planting between lots provides privacy. All lots are protected by covenants, and the development is overseen by a body corporate to ensure these are upheld. “Our vision has always been that this beautiful area would become a community COMMUNITY Beau Burmester 021 759 465 Sections Selling Now For more information call Beau today! Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 Q016637 Darcy Keene Earthmoving Ltd Specialists in Civil Earthworks Subdivisions • Land Development • Drainage • Roading 82 Waitara Rd, RD42, Waitara 4320 dkel@xtra.co.nz www.darcykeene.co.nz Depo 06 754 6157 Debbie 027 495 3460 Gered 027 450 0074 Dayle 027 878 8726 NPDC approved Drainage Contractor - Qualified Drainlayer Experienced in all aspects of subdivisions of like-minded people who love the outdoors, the seascape, the walkway, birdsong, and nature while enjoying the unique benefits Oceanside offers,” Sara says. The couple plan to continue adding and further developing planting at the development. “Oceanside has been a long journey. At times it was frustrating, demanding, and required relentless hard work. But it has been a rewarding challenge. “Despite the obstacles, when we look at it now, we feel proud of what we have created.”
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